[pct-l] General Temperature N vs S

[Stephen Adams]

You are likely to get hot and cold temps all along your hike regardless.  Occasional late and early storms can bring temps down rapidly for a few days at a time in the north and south.  You can also encounter heat waves.  Be prepared.  I've been in the Sierra in June when it's freezing, and when it's balmy, and the same in the late season and into Fall.  This last Oct I took a nice hike in the Sierra and it was in the teens every night, and quite frigid until I could get into some sun in the morning, and while Sept is more forgiving in the Sierra and usually spectacular, I still suggest be prepared anyway.  You can always unzip a warm sleeping bag but a 30 degree bag is marginal unless of high loft 775 or 800 down and you have a light bivy to add a little extra.  I used a Marmot Arroyo 30 degree bag for a few years with an Advanced OR bivy and stayed quite comfortable above timberline.  But only when the bag retained it's loft.  After a couple long seasons it's been replaced with the REI Sub-Kilo.  But in Oct I took a winter bag and was real glad I did.  Just sayin.  I know when my energy and fat stores are all burned up it's harder for me to get and stay warm.   
On Feb 1, 2010, at 10:49 AM, jim giblin wrote:

> I realize there are many variables like start date, but generally could you
> assume if you are north bound you are hiking in warmer conditions then if
> you’re hiking south bound? Would this be the same between the PCT and AT? For
> example; if you were to only have one sleeping system for the whole trip,
> I'd assume starting in the North, you would want at least a 30 degree bag.
> If you started from the south you could maybe get away with a 40 degree bag.
> Of course worse conditions could be taken care of with type of shelter,
> clothing, pad, bivy,…  Is this just crazy talk to assume and generalize?
> 
> 
> 
> Best,
> 
> Jim
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